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Viral meningitis due to echovirus types 6 and 9: epidemiological data from Western Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

M. J. S. Ashwell ,
D. W. Smith ,
P. A. Phillips  and
I. L. Rouse
M. J. S. Ashwell*
Affiliation:
Epidemiology Branch, Health Information Centre, Health Department of Western Australia, 189 Royal Street, East Perth, WA, 6004, Australia
D. W. Smith
Affiliation:
The Western Australian Centre for Pathology and Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia
P. A. Phillips
Affiliation:
The Western Australian Centre for Pathology and Medical Research, Nedlands, Western Australia
I. L. Rouse
Affiliation:
Health Information Centre, Health Department of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia
*
* Author for correspondence.
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Summary

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During the autumn of 1992, Western Australia experienced a large viral meningitis outbreak of dual aetiology. Of the 161 cases, 64% were children under 15 years of age, with the highest notification rate being in children less than 5 years of age. Echovirus 9 caused 41% of cases and occurred mainly in the metropolitan areas of Western Australia whereas echovirus 6, which caused 37% of cases, was more widespread. An enterovirus was cultured from 70% of CSF specimens, 88% of faecal specimens and 68% of upper respiratory tract specimens. High CSF white cell counts and neutrophil predominance were common. Seven cases had normal CSF white cell counts even though an enterovirus was isolated from the CSF. Therefore, the CSF findings were of restricted value in excluding viral meningitis, and did not reliably distinguish between bacterial and viral meningitis.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 117 , Issue 3 , December 1996 , pp. 507 - 512
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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